Hello all and good luck to you on a new year in college football wagering, hands down the best sport in america. I follow the Pac 10 extremely close (Former OSU Beaver) and to a lesser extend MWC and WAC (SDSU Graduate).
Some of you might remember my ranting about the general perception of the Pac 10 being a weak conference, and my bitching about three Big 12 teams starting last year in the top 8 in the polls, including Nebraska. Well, this year my mouth is shut, as Oklahoma, Texas, and K St. all look ready for potential national championship runs...Certainly no Pac 10 team does. By the way, Texas has by far the easiest schedule of the three. I will stand by my comments at the end of last season that no team would have beat USC in a bowl game, including Ohio State. But USC did not deserve to play in the title game.....God Please give us a tournement in my lifetime.
On to the Pac 10. Only one game of note this week in terms of heavy wagering.
USC +4 At Auburn. Aaaahhh. Pac 10 champ vs. SEC West champ. What a way to start the year! Have noticed a lot of respected cappers here in this forum jumping on the Auburn bandwaggon. Maybe for good reason, as Auburn returns 16 starters and has one the most formidable defensive front 7 in college football. USC lost their Heisman winning QB, starting RB Fargas, and six starters off from their dominant Defense. The two teams played a close one to start last years season off, with USC pulling out a touchdown victory at home.
I can't knock anything about Auburn, so I will only talk about USC. In two years Pete Carroll has brought USC football back to the national stage. I said "back to" for a reason. They are here to stay. USC is getting the best recruits hands down in Southern California, and they are going to dominate in years to come. They have two true freshman that could start on just about any college team in the country...RB Reggie Bush (who probably will return the first kick of the game) and S Darnell Bing. The USC football program had been catatonic for nearly 25 years, but Carroll has the boosters flocking back, Maroon and Gold is all over I-405, and everyone is talking about the Trojans again. (FYI...I hate the Trojans)
As for this year, expect there will be some drop off, but not much. USC's front 7 is every bit as good as Auburns. Soph QB Leinart is getting rave reviews, and WR Mike Williams is one of the best in the country.
On paper this game looks easy to cap and that is why I think the line is moving in Auburn's favor. Hope it keeps going because I'm taking USC at gametime. I just don't see weather as being a big factor in this game. It has been hot and humid all summer in southern california. USC has exceptional depth on both sides of the ball, and if they have any weakness, it may be in their youthful secondary, but Auburn is a running team with a new starting QB. USC has one other factor in their favor...attitude. This football team believed it was the best team in the country last year, and they believe it right now.
I see this game as being extremely close, with either team winning by a field goal. Final Score USC 20 - Auburn 17.
As for the rest of the Pac 10.
Oregon -4 at MSU: Prediction MSU 27 - UO 24
Washington +9 at Ohio State: OSU 31 - UW 20
Oregon State Vs. Sac St: OSU 54 - Sac St 17
WSU -28 Vs. Idaho: WSU 38 - Idaho 17
Cal - 3.5 Vs. SoMiss: Cal 27 - SoMiss 20
Arizona - 21.5 Vs. UTEP: AZ 45 - UTEP 17
I am betting the Arizona game for sure, Mackovic is desperate to make a positive statement. Will also consider betting with Cal, as I was impressed with their performance against K State and Tedford is an exceptional coach. May consider calling Neuheisel at gametime and taking Ohio State, as Washington has no run game to speak of, a mediocre offensive line, and offseason turmoil.
Good luck everyone!
Some of you might remember my ranting about the general perception of the Pac 10 being a weak conference, and my bitching about three Big 12 teams starting last year in the top 8 in the polls, including Nebraska. Well, this year my mouth is shut, as Oklahoma, Texas, and K St. all look ready for potential national championship runs...Certainly no Pac 10 team does. By the way, Texas has by far the easiest schedule of the three. I will stand by my comments at the end of last season that no team would have beat USC in a bowl game, including Ohio State. But USC did not deserve to play in the title game.....God Please give us a tournement in my lifetime.
On to the Pac 10. Only one game of note this week in terms of heavy wagering.
USC +4 At Auburn. Aaaahhh. Pac 10 champ vs. SEC West champ. What a way to start the year! Have noticed a lot of respected cappers here in this forum jumping on the Auburn bandwaggon. Maybe for good reason, as Auburn returns 16 starters and has one the most formidable defensive front 7 in college football. USC lost their Heisman winning QB, starting RB Fargas, and six starters off from their dominant Defense. The two teams played a close one to start last years season off, with USC pulling out a touchdown victory at home.
I can't knock anything about Auburn, so I will only talk about USC. In two years Pete Carroll has brought USC football back to the national stage. I said "back to" for a reason. They are here to stay. USC is getting the best recruits hands down in Southern California, and they are going to dominate in years to come. They have two true freshman that could start on just about any college team in the country...RB Reggie Bush (who probably will return the first kick of the game) and S Darnell Bing. The USC football program had been catatonic for nearly 25 years, but Carroll has the boosters flocking back, Maroon and Gold is all over I-405, and everyone is talking about the Trojans again. (FYI...I hate the Trojans)
As for this year, expect there will be some drop off, but not much. USC's front 7 is every bit as good as Auburns. Soph QB Leinart is getting rave reviews, and WR Mike Williams is one of the best in the country.
On paper this game looks easy to cap and that is why I think the line is moving in Auburn's favor. Hope it keeps going because I'm taking USC at gametime. I just don't see weather as being a big factor in this game. It has been hot and humid all summer in southern california. USC has exceptional depth on both sides of the ball, and if they have any weakness, it may be in their youthful secondary, but Auburn is a running team with a new starting QB. USC has one other factor in their favor...attitude. This football team believed it was the best team in the country last year, and they believe it right now.
I see this game as being extremely close, with either team winning by a field goal. Final Score USC 20 - Auburn 17.
As for the rest of the Pac 10.
Oregon -4 at MSU: Prediction MSU 27 - UO 24
Washington +9 at Ohio State: OSU 31 - UW 20
Oregon State Vs. Sac St: OSU 54 - Sac St 17
WSU -28 Vs. Idaho: WSU 38 - Idaho 17
Cal - 3.5 Vs. SoMiss: Cal 27 - SoMiss 20
Arizona - 21.5 Vs. UTEP: AZ 45 - UTEP 17
I am betting the Arizona game for sure, Mackovic is desperate to make a positive statement. Will also consider betting with Cal, as I was impressed with their performance against K State and Tedford is an exceptional coach. May consider calling Neuheisel at gametime and taking Ohio State, as Washington has no run game to speak of, a mediocre offensive line, and offseason turmoil.
Good luck everyone!
